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Stabilize

To keep from fluctuating.

Stabilize Bar Link

A device that connects the lower control arm to the stabilizer bar.

Stabilizer

A device that uses the torsional resistance of a steel bar to reduce the roll of a vehicle and prevent too great a difference in the spring action at the two front wheels.

Stabilizer Bar

A long, spring-steel bar attached to the cross member and interconnects the lower control arm that twists like a torsion bar during turns to transmit cornering forces from one side of the vehicle to the other to help equalize wheel loads and prevent excessive leaning.

Stabilizing Ball Joint

A term used for non-load-carrying ball joint.

Stacked Pattern

A term used for raster pattern.

Stacks

A term used for velocity stacks.

Stage

To place a competition vehicle in a proper starting position.

Staged Turbos

Turbocharger in series, one feeding the other.

Staggered Timing Camshaft

A camshaft ground so as to provide a longer duration for the cylinders farthest away from the main intake tract to equalize the amount of fuel mixture reaching all of the cylinders.

Staging Area

The area between the pits and starting line in drag racing where the cars are lined up.

Staging Lane

1. Lanes within the staging area where cars are grouped according to class.

Staging Lights

The light beams used in drag racing to guide the front wheels of a car into proper position.

Stainless Steel (SS)

A steel alloy that is highly resistant to rust and corrosion.

Staking

1. Securing a part, such as a bearing, in place by exerting pressure around the opening by punching or peening. 2. To punch or chisel an indentation into two touching parts so that one of the parts cannot turn against the other.

Stall

1. A work area. 2. To come to a stop because the engine failed. 3. The disruption of air flow around the air foil. 4. A condition where the engine is operating and the transmission is in gear, but the drive wheels are not turning because the turbine of the torque converter is not moving.

Stall Speed

The maximum possible engine and torque converter impeller speed, measured in RPM, with the turbine held stationary and the engine throttle wide open.

Stall Test

A starter-motor test of the current draw made when the motor is stalled.

Stall-torque Test

A starting system test that determines pound-feet or newton-meters of torque developed by the armature when restrained from rotating by a special measuring instrument attached to the drive pinion gear.

Stand Off

The fine mist of air/fuel mixture that may be forced back into the carburetor during timing overlap when the intake and exhaust valves are open.